Mexican attorney general tries to block gay marriage law

Mexican Attorney General Arturo Chávez appealed to the nation’s Supreme Court on Jan. 27 to block Mexico City’s new law that legalized same-sex marriage and adoption. It is scheduled to take effect in March.

The city’s Legislative Assembly passed the law 39-20 on Dec. 21. It redefines marriage as “the free uniting of two people.”

Chávez’s office claimed the law runs afoul of vague language in the federal constitution that says: “Men and women are equal before the law. The law will protect the organization and development of the family.” The office also claimed the law fails to safeguard the interests of children.

City officials have said they hope gay couples will come from around the world to get married. The city is working with travel agencies to offer packages that include flights, hotel, sightseeing, a wedding and a banquet.

Same-sex marriage also is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain and Sweden; in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province; and in the U.S. states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. It will become legal in March in Washington, D.C., and in Portugal later this year.

By Rex Wockner